Piercing an earlobe increases the risk of tearing or stretching. The size and shape of earrings not only exerts pressure on the soft fatty tissue of the ear lobe, but they also can be caught on clothing or seized by a child and ripped out. Tears from a tiny piercing hole can be immediately repaired. If the tear results from a gradual enlarging of the ear hole over time until the tiny piece of tissue at the bottom of the lobe is worn through, repairs are made after the wound has healed. Earlobe repair restores the delicate earlobe to its former shape.
Before Surgery
- Avoid taking any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the two weeks prior to surgery.
- Be certain you do not have a cold or sunburn the day of surgery.
- Eat a balanced nutrient-rich diet before and after surgery. A healthy diet will help speed recovery.
- Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, unless instructed differently by our anesthesia provider.
- Do not wear make-up or contact lenses to surgery.
- Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery and stay with you that evening and, if possible, help you around the house for a few days while you recover.
The Procedure
Earlobe repair typically takes about one hour depending on the extent of the procedure. The procedure is performed in our state accredited surgery center-usually on an outpatient basis. Patients are given general anesthesia during this procedure.
- After the patient is anesthetized, the skin lining the slot is removed creating a new raw edge to rebuild.
- The surgeon brings the raw edges directly together with a combination of dissolvable sutures and skin sutures, which are removed later. Note that no provision for the jewelry hole is made at this time.
- Finally, the ears are cleaned and a thin layer of antibiotic ointment is applied.
After Surgery
Keep you head elevated when you sleep and avoid sleeping on your side. After the procedure is over, patients may experience some numbness and mild swelling and/or discomfort at the incision site. This is normal and will pass with time. Incision site pain is usually minimal, and can be controlled with medication, if necessary.
Skin sutures are removed two weeks after surgery. A little drainage from the wound should be expected. You'll be given instructions on how to properly care for your ears.
Recovery
Patients usually go back to school or work within a day. Patients should wait three months before repiercing the ears if so desired.
Return to Top
Return to Procedure Map |
